GE Vernova tight-lipped over 'falsified data' claims at Vineyard Wind blade factory
Manufacturer does not confirm or deny reports that investigation found breaches of quality control processes at LM Wind Power plant
GE Vernova is staying tight-lipped over claims that an inquiry found evidence of falsified quality data at the factory that made the blade that detached from a turbine at the Vineyard Wind project in the US.
A report on the website of local radio outlet Radio Gaspésie claims an investigation by parent company GE Vernova at the LM Wind Power blade plant in Gaspé, Canada, found evidence that some employees were asked to falsify quality control data.
The Radio Gaspésie article, which does not cite a source for its claims, also reports that a “points-based system” implemented at the plant encouraged employees to skip verification steps and prioritise quantity over quality.
Radio Gaspésie and national outlet Radio-Canada both reported that several employees have been suspended or dismissed in October.
A company spokesperson said: “Following the July blade event at Vineyard Wind, we commenced an extensive internal review of our blade manufacturing and quality assurance programme across our offshore wind operations.
“Based on this review, we have taken corrective actions at our blade facility in Gaspé. We are confident in our ability to implement these corrective actions and move forward.”
The blade incident at Vineyard was a blow to GE Vernova and the reputation of the wider US offshore wind sector at a time when it finds itself in the crosshairs of incoming president Donald Trump.
GE Vernova has spent the months since in an extensive mitigation process at Vineyard Wind, including a clean-up operation to remove debris from the water and beaches of Nantucket.
The Vineyard incident, and others involving blades at Dogger Bank in the UK, which GE Vernova says were unrelated, contributed to a $700m charge in the third quarter related to "incremental contract losses” at its offshore wind business.
The OEM is currently scaling back the size of its offshore wind operation globally and said it won’t take new orders in the sector until conditions improve.
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